How Do I Follow Jesus

How to Follow Jesus in Everyday Life

How to follow Jesus? No, really…how do we make living for Christ a part of our daily routine? As Christians, we must follow Jesus every day, not just when we go to church. We can take practical steps to follow Him in everything that we do and reflect His goodness to others. Here are 10 practical ways we can follow Christ in everyday life straight from Jesus Himself.

1. Love your enemies

“But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who dislike you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you,” Jesus says. 5:44 (Matthew 5:44) Not everyone is going to be a fan of yours. But how many times do we wish ill will on our adversaries before we give up? Praying for those who detest us is one method to demonstrate our commitment to Jesus. Demonstrate Jesus’ love to those who are hostile against you. Despite the fact that you will never receive anything in return, be courteous to them.

2. Love your neighbor

This second commandment follows the first: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27). Matthew 22:39 (KJV) Jesus was constantly instructing His disciples on how to love one another. Our responsibility as Christians is to love not simply the people who live next door to us, but to love and offer compassion to everyone with whom we come into contact. One aspect of becoming a follower of Jesus is demonstrating His love to everyone we come into contact with.

3. Don’t judge others

In other words, “do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; do not forgive, and you will be forgiven:” Luke 6:37 (KJV) When we look at people, we might form snap judgments about them based on what we observe in them. We may criticise and condemn them as a result of the terrible decisions they’ve made in their lives. However, according to the Bible, only God knows what is in a person’s heart (1 Samuel 16:7). On a daily basis, we may practice following Jesus by avoiding to pass judgment on others around us.

4.Be humble

“And whoever exalts himself will be abased, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted,” the Bible says. Matthew 23:12 (KJV) If we want to follow Jesus’ example, we must first learn to be humble. Christ’s humility is one of his defining features. The Lord will raise us up if we humble ourselves before Him and exhibit meekness in our relationships with others.

5. Don’t worry

“Therefore, do not be concerned about tomorrow, since tomorrow will take care of itself.” “Each day brings enough difficulties on its own.” 6:34 (Matthew 6:34) According to a famous Christian children’s hymn, “Why worry when you can pray?” God has promised to provide for our needs. Always keep in mind that God has your back when you are feeling stressed or anxious.

6.Follow the Golden Rule

For this is the summation of the Law and the Prophets: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you in all circumstances. ” Matthew 7:12 (New International Version) Don’t do to others what you wouldn’t want them to do to you. In Jesus’ words, we should treat others the way we would want to be treated ourselves.

7. Worship God whole-heartedly

“God is a Spirit, and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth,” according to the Bible. 4:24 (John 4:24) It is important for Christians to include worship, praise, and gratitude into their daily lives.

When we pray to God, we should remember to thank Him for everything that He has done for us and to express our gratitude to Him. Always and forever, I will bless the LORD; the song of his praise will perpetually remain in my mouth. Verse 1 of Psalm 34:1

8. Show Jesus in everything you do

‘Allow your light to so shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father who is in heaven,’ says the Bible. 5:16 (Matthew 5:16) We are citizens of the kingdom of God. As a result, we must reflect Christ in all that we do and say. Others will be able to see Jesus’ light shining through us when we are actively following Him, and they will be drawn closer to Him as a result.

9.Seek God First

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you,” the Bible says. Matthew 6:33 (KJV) Prioritize God in all of your decision-making. We must examine God’s will for our life and then strive to carry it out to the best of our abilities.

10.Deny Self

After he had summoned the people to him, along with his disciples, he told them, “Whoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. ” 8:34 (Matthew 8:34) Last but not least, following Jesus implies that we must deny ourselves on a regular basis.

Prayer for Today:

Greetings, Jesus. Please assist me in becoming more like you. Please assist me in following you in all I do. Amen. Is it possible that you were benefited by today’s devotion? Please forward this to a friend, a family member, or a colleague, or use the sharing tools provided below.

How to Follow Jesus – 13 Things to Consider

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How to Follow Jesus

Despite the fact that there is no one exact method for following Jesus, following Jesus is the key to having a whole Christian life. There are many publications available on how to follow Jesus, yet everyone’s perspective is different. How do you know whatever path to choose in following Jesus is the “correct” one? Here is what the Bible has to say about it.

1. Accept Jesus as Your Savior

The first thing you must do is acknowledge Jesus as your Lord and Savior as well as your Lord and Savior. Jesus responds to him, saying, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) (See also John 14:6) You will be unable to save yourself until you accept Christ as your Savior. It is a free gift made possible by the precious blood of Jesus shed on the cross in your place when He died for your sins. Jesus has a deep affection for you and want to have a personal and eternal connection with you.

Accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and benefit from His calming presence, transforming power, discernment, and guidance.

It’s truly that simple, believe it or not. Then you must seek His will for your life on a consistent basis. Request from God that He provide you with the wisdom, strength, and resolve to live a complete Christian life.

2. Love God

The Lord Jesus Christ stated in Mark 12:30, “.you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your might.” “This is the first and most important commandment.” God is first and foremost in everything. Demonstrate to God how much you care about Him through your prayers and activities. Keep in mind that you wouldn’t have anything if it weren’t for God. It is impossible to imagine a world without everlasting life in Heaven, without hope, without pleasure, without reconciliation, without peace, and without a future.

When you are in need of consolation, turn to Him for direction and remember to express your gratitude for His love.

3. Love Others

‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ says Jesus in Mark 12:31. “The second is like this,” Jesus continues, “‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” When it comes to living a Christian life, the ability to love people is critical. Earlier in His ministry, Jesus told His disciples, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). The single most effective approach to symbolize Christianity is to love one’s neighbor as oneself.

4. Love Yourself

One aspect of the two commandments that Jesus teaches that I believe is often overlooked is the “love your neighbor as yourself.” As Jesus teaches in Mark 12:31, “you must love your neighbor as you love yourself.” I’m acquainted with far too many Christians who are unloving of themselves. They are notorious for placing themselves at the bottom of the to-do list. This was something I used to do as well. The next morning, I would make everyone the greatest breakfast possible, and I would eat the burned egg myself.

In order to get the most affordable non-dairy yogurt for my children, I would budget for the most expensive brand for myself.
Whenever it came time to get a haircut, I’d go to the cheapest location I could locate in order to conserve my resources.
“Love your neighbor as you love yourself,” Jesus stated.
Take a moment to absorb it.

5. Pray

Sometimes we get so caught up in our daily routines that we forget how powerful prayer can be. Prayer is one of the most essential things you can do as a Christian, and it should be done every day.

Prayer provides an opportunity to spend quality time with God and come to a deeper understanding of Him. In this season, express your love for Him, confess your faults, beg for forgiveness, express gratitude for your benefits, and ask Him for what you require as well as what others require.

6. Know the Bible

Between directly knowing God and simply knowing about Him, there is a significant difference. Hearing God’s Word is the first step in developing a personal connection with him. Please read the Bible if you have the opportunity to do so and learn more about Him. Take time to absorb the information if you want to get the most out of your time spent there. You’ll discover that the Bible, in the process of guiding, encouraging, and comforting you, teaches you about Christ’s purpose, methods, and journey.

Bible journaling is a unique technique to get a deeper understanding of the Bible.

If you create art that represents what you’re experiencing and learning, you can put your heart into it and pour your soul into it.

7. Bring God into All Aspects of Your Life

Make the decision to include God in all elements of your life from this day forward. Don’t only use him for Sunday services or before a meal to say a few words of prayer. When you’re walking, reading, Bible journaling, producing art, playing in the beach, driving, or doing anything else, you may be with God. Consider God to be the finest Father anyone could possibly hope to have. The kind of person that is interested in you and wants to spend time with you.

8. Trust in God

Trusting God with all of your heart is essential for following Jesus. You have the right to request alternatives in challenging circumstances! It was Jesus who performed it (Luke 22:42)! However, it is ultimately your heart that reveals the true narrative. Is it more important to you to follow God’s will or to follow your own? As Christians, we must intentionally submit to God’s plans and expectations for our lives, putting aside our own wishes in exchange for His purposes. This does not exclude you from taking steps toward realizing your goals.

You must take the actions that God has placed on your heart, but you must leave the outcome in God’s capable hands.

God is always right in his judgment.

9. Be Thankful for all things

Regardless of what is going on in your life, learn to live graciously by seeking out opportunities to be appreciative. Perhaps you have recently lost your work and are experiencing financial difficulties. Perhaps you’ve suffered the loss of a loved one or been ill. Even in the midst of these extraordinarily tough circumstances, we all have a great deal to be grateful for. We can only genuinely follow Jesus if we live a life of appreciation, which is something we must learn to do.

10. Avoid Temptation

While it might be difficult to stay away from temptation and sin, if you desire to live a full Christian life, you must put up your best effort.

We are all sinners, but it does not exclude us from making an effort to improve. Even if you do end up making a mistake, you should beg for God’s forgiveness and make an effort to do better the following time.

11. Rely on the Holy Spirit for Wisdom

Trusting in the Holy Spirit is the same as relying on Him. Throughout our lives, the Holy Spirit is constantly present, strong, and advocating for us. He’s there to assist us in drawing nearer to God’s heart and keeping us close to it. One of the most effective methods to develop a relationship with the Holy Spirit is to become more conscious of His presence. I used to refer to the Holy Spirit as my intuition before realizing that it was God, acting via the Holy Spirit, who was speaking to me.

12. Go to Church

Christians require one another — there is nothing quite as uplifting as a congregation of believers together in worship. But don’t just leave it at that. Form a group of people who will live together and do life together. The church is not a physical structure; rather, it is a community.

13. Be Obedient When God Calls on You

When you follow God’s commands, it demonstrates your trust and love for Him. When you experience an inner “push” to do something kind for someone else, it is an example of being obedient to His calling. That dreaded “inner voice” that warns you against doing anything wrong is yet another example of a compulsion to sin. As His earthly disciples, we must imitate Christ’s behavior and execute his commandments in order to be successful. Following Jesus may appear to be straightforward, but it is not.

Sometimes we do a fantastic job, but other times we just a slight nudge in the right direction.
You’ll also be able to deal with any issues that come your way with the power and bravery that God provides.
“Follow me,” he urged to the man.
Many of his disciples turned around and refused to walk with him any longer as a result of this.
But we are all converted into the same image from glory to glory, just as we receive the Spirit from the Lord, when we look at the glory of the Lord with an open face, as if we were looking into a mirror.
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What does it mean to truly follow Christ?

QuestionAnswer It appears several times in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) that Jesus commands his followers to “follow me” (e.g., Matthew 8:22; 9:9, Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27; John 1:43). It appears that Jesus was addressing the twelve men who would become His disciples in a number of instances (Matthew 10:3–4). He was also speaking to anyone who was interested in what He had to offer at other times (John 3:16; Mark 8:34). Matthew 10:34–39 is a passage in which Jesus explains exactly what it takes to be His follower.

I did not come to bring peace, but rather a sword to the table.
Whoever does not pick up their cross and follow me is not worthy of being called a disciple of Christ.
However, Jesus never softened the truth, and the fact is that following Him necessitates making painful decisions in order to survive.
A large number of those who had followed Jesus turned away as his teaching moved from the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3–11) to the imminent crucifixion (John 6:66).
Every single one of them turned their backs on Him (Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:50).
For the sake of not endangering his own life, Peter denied three times that he ever knew Jesus (Matthew 26:69–75).
Everyone has a belief system, whether it is based on friends, popular culture, family, selfish interests, or God.

God has said that we are not to worship any other gods save Him (Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 5:7; Mark 12:30).

“Whoever wishes to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross everyday and follow me,” Jesus said in Luke 9:23.

As the disciples proved, no one can follow Christ just on the basis of his or her own drive or determination.

Rather than achieving success, their self-effort resulted in hubris and a distorting of the entire purpose of God’s Law (Luke 11:39; Matthew 23:24).

“The Spirit brings life; the flesh is worthless,” he declared emphatically (John 6:63).

The disciples had been with Jesus for three years, learning from Him, watching His miracles, and even participating in them.

They were in need of a Helper.

Even more specifically, He informed them that He was departing in order for the Holy Spirit to be sent in their stead (John 16:7).

As Jesus advised His followers, they were not to begin testifying on their behalf of Him until they had been “clothed with authority from on high” (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4).

Following Jesus is making an effort to be like Him.

To fully follow Christ means to put Him in charge of your life.

Throughout life, every decision and dream is filtered through God’s Word with the objective of bringing Him glory in all things (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Because of His grace, we desire to do everything we can to please Him.

He explains the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 2:14), bestows spiritual talents on us (1 Corinthians 12:4-11), soothes us (John 14:16), and directs our paths (1 Corinthians 2:15).

(John 14:26). To follow Christ means to put into practice the truths we learn from His Word and to live as though Jesus were physically present with us. Questions concerning the Christian Life (return to top of page) What does it mean to be a true disciple of Christ?

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What it Really Means to Follow Jesus

We have a very different understanding of what it means to follow Jesus now than we had two thousand years ago, particularly in the western world. Many of us attend church only occasionally for a motivational pep talk, read the Bible even less frequently, and volunteer at a local soup kitchen once or twice a year if we’re feeling particularly generous. A long cry from the commitment that Christians shown in the early church, who saw their faith as a way of life rather than just a religious obligation.

However, we no longer live in such times; our world now is completely different from that of such humble beginnings.

The fact that the definition hasn’t changed, and that following Jesus now looks the same as it did then, may come as a surprise.

Where does the Bible Talk about Following Jesus?

There are several scriptures in the Bible that define what it means to be a follower of Jesus in all of its fullness. But one passage summarizes it well: “And drawing the throng to him with his followers, he said to them, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.’ ” In other words, whomever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever wishes to risk his life for my sake and the gospel’s sake will save it.” Mark 8:34-35 (KJV) (ESV) During his sermon before a large assembly, Jesus discussed the price of following him.

As a matter of fact, he stated in the following passages that people who are embarrassed of him and his teachings will be rejected by God on the other side of life.
Fordeny is derived from the root word fordeny, which meaning “apart” or “away.” It is necessary to put one’s own interests and desires aside in order to follow Jesus.
Because your body will advise you to prioritize yourself and pursue your own interests first and foremost.
He asks us to live a life in which we set ourselves aside in order to seek God and serve others (Matthew 22:36-40).
Once again, Jesus served as a paradigm of self-sacrifice for the redemption of others.
According to verse 35, doing so is equivalent to saving one’s life.

Alternatively, as Matthew Henry puts it, “we must be terrified of losing our souls.”

5 Bible Verses on Following Jesus

Some further Bible scriptures that demonstrate what it means to follow Jesus are included below. ‘For to this you have been called, just as Christ also suffered for you, giving you an example to follow, so that you may imitate his steps,’ says 1 Peter 2:21. 1 John 2:3-4, 1 John 2:3, ” And if we follow his commands, we will know that we have come to know him. ” “Anyone who claims to know him but does not follow his commandments is a liar, and the truth does not reside in him. ” Paul writes in Ephesians 5:1-2, ” As God’s cherished offspring, therefore, be imitators of God.” Moreover, walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

There are numerous words and thoughts that are similar in these passages.

“Keep his commands,” “Be holy,” and other such phrases imply that a disciple of Jesus would strive to live a holy and good life.

When we say ” Seek first “, everything follows after him, and our attention is fixed on God.

What Did it Mean for Jesus’ Disciples to Follow Him?

The two brothers, Simon (who is known as Peter) and Andrew his brother, were fishing in the Sea of Galilee when he happened upon them while wandering along the shoreline. They followed him, and he told them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishermen.” He was gone in an instant, and they abandoned their nets to chase him. Continuing on, he noticed two additional brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, who was mending their nets, and he shouted to them to come up beside him.

” Matt.
As soon as Jesus issued the simple command to follow, all four men quickly left their jobs, possessions, and social circles to follow him.
Following Jesus in this manner provides as a tremendous example of what it looks like to do so.
Because, as we read in Matthew 6:33, all else is derived from it.
In the same way that the disciples followed Jesus everywhere he went, we are to follow in their footsteps.
“I want you to follow me with all your heart and to carry out your mission of bringing others to me,” Jesus effectively declared to the disciples.

You reaffirm your commitment to making his primary goal your own. And that is to be a fisher of men—to steer others in the direction of Christ. It is only by loving Christ that you will be able to love others and assist them in establishing a relationship with Him.

What Is the Cost of Following Jesus Today?

To follow Jesus, as we’ve taught, means to:1. Set aside one’s own interests in order to seek God first. 2. Follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. 3. Obey him in all things that are proper. What is the current state of affairs? The road to following him will be difficult, but the payoff on the other side of this life will be tremendous: eternal presence in his presence! So, when the world and your body tempt you to serve your own self-interests, do the opposite and focus that energy to seeking God first and the caring for others.

Steps for Following Jesus If You Never Have

Allow me to speak with you about your lack of a personal relationship with Jesus. I want you to know that you do not have to wait for the right moment to accept Christ as your Savior. It is not necessary for you to clean yourself up before proceeding to follow him. Jesus will take care of the sin; all you have to do is come to him in your current state. To follow Christ is to engage in a straightforward, sincere dialogue with him. A discussion in which you confess your sin, apologize for the sin you have committed, seek for forgiveness, invite Jesus into your life, and make a commitment to follow him is called a confessional dialogue.

Are you going to follow him?
Following him is not guaranteed to be simple, but he does promise you in Scripture again and time again that he will be with you at all times.
Prayer: Jesus, please pray with me.
I recognize that I haven’t always done things correctly, and I apologize for that.
I’m sorry for everything.
Please accept my apologies.
I welcome you into my life and make it a priority to serve you first, allowing everything else to flow naturally from that stance of surrendering to you.
I am asking for your assistance.
I pray in the name of Jesus, and I say amen.

The founder of Truth and Grace Ministries, Truth x Grace Women, and the author of five books, she is well-known in the Christian community. Brittany resides in Castle Rock, Colorado, with her husband, Ryan, and son, Roman, who is her only child. More information may be found at.

What Does it Mean to Follow Jesus?

Christians frequently speak of their desire to follow Jesus, but what exactly does that entail? Look at how the disciples might have responded to Christ’s invitation and what it means for us today.

What following Jesus meant for the disciples

Someone being invited to follow a rabbi was considered a tremendous honor at the time. This invitation was an offer of endless access to the rabbi—a chance to become a permanent student—and it was accepted with enthusiasm. In addition to having complete access to the instructor and being able to ask probing questions, students also lived with the rabbi, learning directly how the Scriptures should be acted out in their daily lives. Making the pledge to submit to the rabbi’s authority was a prerequisite for becoming a disciple, but it also meant that every day was filled with new chances to learn more about God and the Jewish faith.

They slept in the same rooms as their rabbis.

And, for the most part, they shared the same passions and values as their rabbi.

Following Jesus meant sharing his zeal for proclaiming the good news, which they saw as an important part of following him.

What it means to follow Jesus today

It wasn’t long before the disciples realized that they weren’t merely following a rabbi, but that Jesus was in fact the prophesied Messiah. The Lord had come to educate them about himself, and they would go on to aid in the establishment of his kingdom if they cooperated. If we wish to follow Jesus as well, we must acknowledge that he is much more than a wonderful teacher.

Declare Jesus as Lord

In order for us to follow Jesus, we must first recognize him for who he truly is. Messiah. Lord. God’s only begotten Son. He is the Saviour of the world, according to the Bible. “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved,” Paul adds (Romans 10:9). Following Jesus begins with a firm belief in his claims about who he is and what he has done. By confessing Jesus to be Lord and being baptized in his name, we take the first steps toward following Jesus on his path of obedience.

Obey his teachings

While Christians today are unable to physically follow Jesus in the same way as the disciples were, the New Testament makes it plain that following him means obeying his teachings in their lives. This is how Jesus stated it: “If you adhere to my teaching, you are truly my disciples.” Then you will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32 NIV). Paul’s letters to the early church also underscore the need of Christians following Jesus’ teachings and putting them into practice in their daily lives, just as Jesus’ followers did.

The Holy Spirit is still at work equipping the church to follow Jesus, just as it was in the early church (1 Corinthians 12:7-11).

Find your place in the body of Christ

(1 Corinthians 12) In his first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul addresses it as “the body of Christ,” stating that each individual has been uniquely given to play a position in the church, and that the body cannot operate as it was meant unless each member fulfills his or her part. Paul uses this metaphor to convey the notion of Christ as a head who directs his body (the church) to carry out his will in the world. By making the decision to follow Jesus, we become a member of Christ’s body.

“If the entire body were an eye, where would the sensation of hearing be located?” says the author.
In reality, God has positioned the components of the body in the exact positions that he desired for each and every one of them.
As things are, there are several components, but only one body.
In the process of discovering our individual roles within the body of Christ, the church is being constructed and equipped.

Start your unique journey as a disciple

As Paul pointed out, we each have a unique duty to perform in the body of Christ. Every person’s connection with Jesus is unique in its appearance. It is possible that your path as a disciple will differ from that of your neighbor, and that is perfectly OK. We’ve designed 16 different discipleship guides, one for each of the Myers-Briggs personality types, to help you better understand how your temperament effects your life as a follower of Christ. Each book takes a close look at your individual temperament and how it influences your growth in Christ and ability to make disciples.

10 Important Considerations Before You Follow Jesus

Nine years ago, when I was in my early twenties, I would have scoffed at anybody who predicted that I would grow up to be an unabashed, enthusiastic, and passionate disciple of Jesus Christ. For years before I came to know Christ as my Lord and Savior, I treasured my freedom, immoral lifestyle and pleasures, as well as everything that the world had to offer me without fear of retribution. After placing my trust in Jesus Christ, my heart underwent a significant transformation, but it wasn’t until I read my Bible that I realized what it meant to be a disciple of Christ.

However, although the majority of these occurrences demonstrate that Jesus was calling anybody throughout history who desired what he had to offer them (Matthew 10:3–4), some instances show that Jesus was calling anyone throughout history who desired what he had to offer them (John 3:16; Mark 8:34).

However, this call extends beyond the adoption of new habits, the acceptance of Christian doctrines, and the practice of moral life.

The Scriptures provide abundant proof for the points we should take into consideration. Before you decide to follow Jesus, examine the following ten vital considerations:

1. Be willing to obey and submit.

Following Jesus does not imply that you live in a manner that is independent of his example and direction. Christians trustingly obey and submit to Christ’s will by faith, even when it seems incomprehensible to them. The following is what Jesus said in response: ‘If anybody loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him’ (John 14:23).

2. Be prepared to endure hardship.

Are you willing to put up with adversity for the sake of Christ? As a result of following Jesus, you can expect to face difficulties on a regular basis. However, according to James 1:12, “Blessed is the man who endures adversity, for when he has stood the test, he will be awarded the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” In the midst of adversity, we can rest assured that Christ has provided for us: “More than that, we take pleasure in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5).

3. Be ready to see the ugliness of your sin.

To walk with Jesus Christ means to recognize the sin he exposes, to confront it, and to seek for forgiveness. You will continue to fall short on a regular basis, which can be discouraging for believers who feel that following Christ equates to being flawless. As long as you continue to fall prey to temptations and earthly pleasures, you will discover that having a new heart means you have a new awareness and sensitivity to sin that you did not previously have. But don’t lose heart, my buddy. It is because of Christ’s flawless sacrifice that we are free from condemnation, and he will provide you with the strength you need to run from sin.

4. Know that the world will not always accept you.

When you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, it is difficult to comprehend why others would reject him and his disciples. The fact is, Jesus does not shelter us from this harsh reality: “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first” (John 15:18). (John 15:18, NIV). If the rest of the world is not strolling beside him, they are fighting alongside him. In order to follow him, you will find yourself in identical conditions of persecution, misinterpretation, judgment, unacceptance, animosity, and oppression like his followers.

5. Be willing to step outside your comfort zone.

Christians are obligated to pursue justice, defend the weak, and provide assistance to the impoverished. None of these tasks can be completed by simply sitting in your house and doing nothing. Regardless of whether you agree with the Lord’s demands or not, you will be challenged to speak up when you are terrified, intimidated, or otherwise uncomfortable.

Jesus is not requiring us to have a wealth of theological knowledge or to be spiritual superstars in order to carry out these tasks; rather, he is calling us to a ready and obedient heart that will follow him wherever he leads.

6. Prepare to be held accountable.

Your sins have been expunged from your record as a result of Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross, as well as your confidence in him and his promises. However, this does not imply that you are free to take Christ’s sacrifice for granted and continue your sinful behavior. You will still appear before God’s judgment bench, where you will be required to give an account of your conduct to him (Romans 14:12). Not only must you maintain your accountability to God, but you must also maintain your accountability to other members of the body of Christ.

7. Accept him at his word.

Because of your limited humanity, you will not always be able to comprehend God’s sovereignty. You will wonder why he allows pain, where he is when there is quiet, and why your prayers appear to go unanswered, among other things. The instructions given to you do not require you to fully comprehend; rather, they urge you to live by faith, knowing that his methods are higher than yours and that his ideas are more than yours (Isaiah 55:9).

8. Leave things behind.

Ephesians 4:17 reminds us that we should no longer walk in the same way that we used to since our understanding has been clouded, we have been estranged from God, we have become uninformed, and our hearts have been hardened (v. 18). However, we no longer know Christ in this way (v. 20), since we have heard his truth and have paid attention to it (v. 21). As a result, we are to cast off our old selves, which were formed before to coming to know Christ, and to put on our new selves, which are now formed in the image of God (v.

Faith in Christ necessitates a profound shift in your manner of life from the way you used to conduct yourself.

9. Expect to be humbled.

We are told in Philippians 2 that followers of Christ do nothing out of competition or conceit, but rather humbly regard others as more important than themselves (v. 3) and watch out for the interests of others (v. 4). (v. 4). Christianity teaches that Christians should act humbly because Christ himself did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but rather humbled himself by taking on the form of a servant (vv. 6-8). Taking pleasure in our infirmities (2 Corinthians 11:30) may seem contradictory in today’s world, but it is our responsibility as Christ-followers.

10. Prepare to love.

At first sight, it appears that this final consideration will be straightforward to do. To love as Christ did, on the other hand, means that you cannot be picky about who you love. Following Jesus entails loving unconditionally without expecting anything in return. But don’t be misled: love here refers to loving inaction rather than loving sentiments. No matter how difficult it is for you to feel affectionate toward an annoying neighbor or nasty family, you are still required to love them. This is clearly stated in John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” By doing so, everyone will recognize you as my followers, especially if you have love for one other.” Through your willingness to love people despite their wrongdoing, the world will notice something different about you—and that wonderful difference is that you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, who has been unconditionally loved by him through his gospel of grace.

Can you think of any other important considerations?

The majority of married individuals are unable to recall the precise day they fell in love. They all, on the other hand, are aware of whether or not they are married. Additionally, our Christian spiritual journey is a methodical procedure. However, it also has a destination — a line that we must cross in order to continue. People will not always be able to tell you the exact day when they first began to believe in God or the exact time they realized Jesus is actually the most exceptional person in all of history.

However, becoming a Christian is similar to planning a wedding.
Other than that, much like in the context of romance, you’re just dating; there’s nothing solid to form a relationship on.
Some individuals consider their believe in God to be a step forward from their previous unbelief.
When it comes to spiritual pilgrims, the problem isn’t so much about believing as it is about love; it’s not about cognitive acceptance to facts as it is about dedication to someone.
What they would not do is follow him about like a dog.
If you’re getting to know him better, you could discover that you have a stronger appreciation for his care, and you might even be feeling tenderness and love toward him.
God’s followers are referred to be his bride in order to convey the close bond that exists between him and his people (seeRevelation 19:7).

For us to go the distance and become his loyal spouse, bonded to him for all time as his bride, he longs.

Please accept my invitation.” I approach the front door and knock.

You are undoubtedly aware of it even as you read this: it is the gateway to your life, the beating heart of your heart, and the focal point of your ultimate commitment.

“I want you to be mine!” he exclaims, his palms outstretched.

It’s actually fairly straightforward – as straightforward as saying “I do” at the altar or accepting a certificate of adoption as a gift.

Open the door for me.

He’s going to come in and organize a dinner party for you!

What are we intended to do, if we follow the instructions in that text?

And what does God do in this situation?

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).

According to John 3:16 – 18, “Whoever believes in him will never be condemned, but whoever does not believe will already be condemned because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” Jesus’ invitation is to believe in him — that is, to put our faith in, rely on, and cling to him in all circumstances.

Now, as a result of our faith, he will undo our former destiny, which was to perish, and grant us eternal life instead of death.
If you’re ready, just talk to God about it.
Take into consideration the following points: Admit that you are in desperate need of Jesus.
Declaration of acceptance of him and his proper place as the leader of your life (and be sure to tell someone else about what you’ve done).
Connect with others who are also pursuing a relationship with Jesus for the purpose of mutual encouragement and learning.
Continue your look for a solution.
Take some time to be still and listen for the sound of Jesus knocking on your door.
You’ve crossed the line.
Then keep following him in every circumstance.
Article content drawn fromThe Journey Bible.

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Comments31MAR2021

How to follow Jesus – 6 practical ways! [30 Bible Basics]

“Featured Bible Study: 30 Christian Fundamentals” is your destination. Please visit this page to view a list of all the writers and titles in the series, as well as to suggest a topic. Subscriptions to this series are now being accepted for the ebook. When getting ready this morning, you could have considered who you would meet, what meetings or courses you had to attend, whether it was sunny or rainy, and so on. Some decisions are more essential than others, and you should consider this when making them.

Nonetheless, when you look at your life as a whole, there are certain decisions that have enormous consequences – and from God’s perspective, there is one important decision that dwarfs all others.

God, on the other hand, is interested with who you believe Jesus to be right now, in the present tense.

Become a believer in Jesus Christ and you will be saved, and God pledges to welcome you into paradise for all eternity.

The Bible says, “If you confess with your lips, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” You believe and are justified with your heart, but you confess your faith and are saved with your tongue.” (NIV) It is tempting to believe that you can put off this monumental choice, that there will be enough time later to make a decision, after all, it is so important that it deserves careful consideration; but, let us not be hasty in our decision.

This is the one choice on which you should not, and in fact, must not, put off until later.
God desires for you to know Him right now; in fact, the Bible reveals an incredible reality: before the world was created, God determined that he desired for you to be his child, and for him to be your Father (Eph 1:4).
People want God to be a part of their lives; they want him to assist them, bless them, and make them feel good in their hearts and minds.
The Bible has a God-centered viewpoint on this, declaring that we require God’s help, that we require forgiveness, that we require reconciliation with God, and that this can only be accomplished by faith in Jesus Christ.
We must be cautious that they are not only ideals, but that they become reality in our daily lives.
Jesus is the only one who can accomplish this.
You may attend church, but it does not automatically make you a Christian.
Perhaps you are well aware that you have created a mess of your life so far, that you have failed in your efforts to walk in your power and your thoughts.
(2 Cor 5:17).
1.

A Christian believes that Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God who died on the cross in your place to atone for your sins – as well as to remove the barrier that sin has placed between you and God (Col 1:20, 2:13-15).

2. Repent

Turning away from our old ways is the first step we may take in the direction of God — in effect, we do a U-turn away from sin and begin to live a new life in God’s direction. (This was discussed in further detail in the part on what sin is and how to overcome it)

3. Confess

It was previously in this chapter that we referenced Romans 10:8-9 – you express your confidence in Jesus, indicating that you place your trust in him to forgive and rescue you. Prayer, which is just speaking to God and spending time in his presence, is a powerful method of expressing your faith, love, and confidence in Jesus and is something that everyone should do.

4. Be Baptized

Being baptized in water as a believer is a public declaration of your devotion to Jesus and declaration that you have accepted his role as his disciple. This was a significant step for the early Christians (Acts 2:38–41), and it continues to be a significant step of obedience for us today (Matt 28:19)

5. Receive the Holy Spirit

When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, God manifests his presence and power in your life via the Holy Spirit, who comes to reside inside you. Being filled with the Holy Spirit was often a part of the salvation experience in the book of Acts, and it should be a part of your salvation experience as well (Acts 10:44). Ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit, and have faith that he will listen and respond to your petition (Lk 11:9-13, Jn 7:37-39, Eph 5:18).

6. Walk as a Disciple

This series will continue to examine how we live as disciples of Jesus Christ (“walking the walk”) in greater depth later on in the series. One of the most revealing descriptions of Peter and John (two of the twelve apostles) was that they had been with Jesus from the beginning (Acts 4:13). As you walk with Jesus, he will mold and transform your life into something that is God-honoring and aesthetically pleasing to behold. In the same way that a believer changes their thinking, a disciple transforms their life.

In order to have your sins forgiven and to become a child of God as well as a follower of Jesus, you must pray this prayer or one similar to it.

Please forgive me.

He took upon Himself the penalty that was due to me as a result of my sin and bore it on the cross.

It is through Jesus that I give my life to Him and accept Him as my Lord and Saviour.

I understand that I am now a child of God, and that my sins have been forgiven as a result of the blood of Jesus washing away my sins.

Amen.” Praise be to God.” Discuss: What has been the most challenging step in your journey with Jesus? What strategies did you use to overcome this? The following are the remaining theseries: Water Baptism – What is it, and how does it work? The most frequently requested questions.